tp-link AC600 USB Wi-Fi Dongle User Guide

User Guide
AC600 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter
Archer T2U

About This Guide

This guide is a complement to Quick Installation Guide. The Quick Installation Guide instructs you on quick installation, and this guide provides the product overview and detailed instructions for each steps.
When using this guide, please notice that features of the adapter may vary slightly depending on the model and software version you have. All screenshots, images, parameters and descriptions documented in this guide are used for demonstration only.

Conventions
In this guide, the following conventions are used:

website or a specific section.
 Teal| Contents to be emphasized and texts on the web page are in teal, including the menus, items, buttons, etc.
 Note:| Ignoring this type of note might result in a malfunction or damage to the device.
Tips:| Indicates important information that helps you make better use of your device.

More Info

• The latest software and utility can be found at Download Center at http://www.tp-link.com/support.
• The Quick Installation Guide (QIG) can be found where you find this guide or inside the package of the product.
•  Specifications can be found on the product page at http://www.tp-link.com.
• Our Technical Support contact information can be found at the Contact Technical Support page at http://www.tp-link.com/support.

Chapter 1 Get to Know About Your Adapter

This chapter introduces what the adapter can do and shows its appearance.
This chapter contains the following sections:

• Product Overview
• LED Status

1 1 Product Overview
TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter connects your computer to a Wi-Fi network for smooth HD video, voice streaming and online gaming.

• Compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac products
• A tiny way to get speedy next generation Wi-Fi connections
• Selectable dual band connections
• Supports ad-hoc and infrastructure mode
• Supports 64/128 bit WEP, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
• Supports Windows, Mac and Linux

1 2 LED Status

You can check the adapter’s working status by following the LED Explanation table.

The adapter’s radio has been disabled.
Flashing Slowly| The driver has been installed but no data is being transmitted or received.
Flashing Quickly| Data is being transmitted or received.

Tips:
If the LED is off, try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Check if the adapter is recognized and enabled or not. Refer to Troubleshooting-T2 for detailed instructions.
2. Remove and reinsert the adapter.
3. Reinstall the software, if necessary.

Chapter 2 Connect to a Computer

This chapter introduces how to connect the adapter to your computer.
Before you start using your adapter, insert the adapter into a USB port on your computer directly.After connecting your adapter to the computer, please follow the instructions in the appropriate chapter for your operating system: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux.

Chapter 3 Windows

This chapter introduces how to install your adapter’s driver, use your adapter to join a wireless network, and uninstall your adapter in a Windows system. The adapter is equipped with a Setup Wizard, which can guide you through the installation process.
This chapter includes the following sections:

• Install Driver
• Join a Wireless Network
• Uninstall Driver

3 1 Install Driver

1. Insert the resource CD into your CD drive and run the Autorun.exe from the pop-up Autoplay window.
   Note:
   1. You can also download the driver from the product’s Support page at www .tp-link.com.
   2. In some operating systems, the CD screen will pop up automatically. Otherwise, run the CD manually.

2. Select Archer T2U and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
   Note:
   If you can’t install the driver successfully, disable the antivirus software and firewall, then try again.

3. When the following screen appears, the driver has been installed successfully.

3. 2 Join a Wireless Network
You can join a wireless network via Windows built-in wireless utility. Follow the instructions below to use your computer system’s built-in wireless utility:

1. Click  (Network icon) on the taskbar. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to join, and click Connect. Enter the network password when prompted.
2. When the network icon changes to   , it indicates a successful network connection.

3 .3 Uninstall Driver
The software uninstallation steps vary a bit from different systems. Please follow the appropriate instructions for your Windows operating system: Windows 8/8.1/10, Windows XP/7.

• Windows 8/8 1/10
  Go to Start menu to find the TP-Link application. Click Uninstall TP-Link Archer T2U Driver, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.

• Windows XP/7
  Go to Start > All Programs > TP-Link > Uninstall TP-Link Archer T2U Driver. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.

Chapter 4 Mac OS X

This chapter introduces how to install your adapter’s driver and utility, use your adapter to join a wireless network, manage your adapter, and uninstall your adapter in Mac OS X.
This chapter includes the following sections:

• Install Driver and Utility
• Join a Wireless Network
• Management
• Uninstall Driver and Utility

4. 1 Install Driver and Utility
We take the steps in Mac OS X 10.10 as an example – the steps may vary slightly for other versions of Mac OS.

1. Download the driver and utility from this product’s Support page from TP-Link’s official website www.tp-link.com.
   Note:
   The CD is included in the package. If your computer has a CD drive, you can also run the included CD to install the driver and utility.

2. Double click to unzip the downloaded folder and run the Install.pkg.

3. The Install TP-Link Wireless Utility Wizard window will appear. Click Continue and follow the wizard to continue the installation

4. When the following screen appears, the driver and utility have been installed successfully. Click Restart to finish the installation.

5. After restarting the computer, the TP-Link Utility icon  will appear on the menu bar in the upper-right corner of the screen. To use the utility to join a Wi-Fi network with your adapter, refer to Join a Wireless Network.

Note:
If the TP-Link Utility icon does not appear on the menu bar, make sure the USB wireless network adapter is connected properly and its LED is on.

4 .2 Join a Wireless Network
There are two options of using the adapter to join a Wi-Fi network.
Option 1: TP-Link Utility
TP-Link Utility lets you easily connect the adapter to a Wi-Fi network and manage the adapter.
Option 2: WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a network security standard for easily adding computers and other devices to a home network. Use this method if your wireless router or access point supports WPS.

4. 2. 1 TP-Link Utility

1. Open TP-Link Utility and select Site Survey tab. Then select the network you want to join from the list and click CONNECT.
2. The Authentication\Encryption screen displays. If your network uses wireless security, you will be prompted to enter the Wi-Fi password of the network. Then click OK.
3. After successfully connecting to your network, you will see a symbol in front of your network’s SSID, which indicates a successful connection.

4 .2 .2 WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
WPS can be activated via PBC (Push Button Configuration) and PIN code. Please refer to PBC or PIN below.

• PBC
  1. Press the WPS/QSS button on your router or AP. 2. Within 2 minutes, open TP-Link Utility and click WPS tab. Click PBC.3. The following screen indicates a successful connection by WPS

• PIN
  1. Open TP-Link Utility and click WPS tab. Mark down the PIN displayed on the screen. Select the network you want to join from the WPS AP List and click PIN.2. Within 2 minutes, log in to the web management page of your router or AP. Go to its WPS page, enter the PIN of the adapter in the corresponding field and click Connect.
  3. The following screen indicates a successful connection by WPS.

4 .3 Management
TP-Link Utility provides you with an easy way to manage various connection settings of your Wi-Fi network. It includes the following sections:
Link Status – View the information of the current Wi-Fi network connection and of the adapter.
Profile – Save or manage various Wi-Fi network connection settings.
About – View the utility version and the driver version of your adapter.
Open TP-Link Utility and click the Link Status or Profile tab to manage the corresponding section of your adapter.

4. 3 .1 Link Status
You can view the current channel, the link quality and signal strength of the Wi-Fi network, and other information of the link status as shown in the following figure.

4 .3 .2 Profile
The Profile screen let you save and manage different Wi-Fi network connection settings as profiles so that you can quickly and simply connect to your network. Moreover, you can join a hidden Wi-Fi network that does not broadcast its SSID by adding a profile, provided that you know its wireless settings, such as SSID, security type, and encryption type. For details, please refer to the instructions below: To add a new profile, To join a Wi-Fi network, and To manage an existing profile.

• To add a new profile

1. Click the ADD button, and then a new window will pop up.
2. Complete the settings as shown below, and click OK.

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Profile Name – Enter a name for your profile, such as Home, Office, Coffee house. Do not enter the profile name that already exists.
SSID – Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network.
System Configuration:
Select CAM (Constantly Awake Mode) or Power Saving Mode depending on your preference. In Power Saving Mode, the adapter will automatically reduce its power consumption when not being used.
You can specify the Tx Power level to adjust the transmit power of the adapter. A lower level will reduce performance, but it decreases interference in the local network environment.

Note:
It is recommended to keep the default values for the settings of RTS Threshold and Fragment Threshold. Advanced users can make adjustments if necessary.
Authentication & Security:
Select or enter the corresponding wireless settings, including Authentication Type, Encryption Type and WPA Pre-Shared Key, which should be the same as those of your Wi-Fi network.

• To join a Wi-Fi network
  If you want to join a Wi-Fi network that listed in the profile screen, select the profile and click the ACTIVATE button in the bottom corner.

• To manage an existing profile
  If you want to change the name or the wireless settings of an existing profile, select it and click the EDIT button in the profile screen, and then you can edit the settings of this profile. If you want to delete a profile that you no longer use, select it and click the DELETE button.

4. 4 Uninstall Driver and Utility

1. Double click Uninstall.command in the downloaded folder.
2. A command window will pop up, please type the password of the root user to uninstall the software.
3. Wait till the “Process completed” shows up, then restart your computer to finish the uninstallation.

Chapter 5 Linux

This chapter introduces how to install your adapter’s driver in a Linux system.
Visit the TP-Link’s website at http://www.tp-link.com, and go to Archer T2U’s product page. Then find the compatible version of driver in the support page. Download and install the driver on your computer.

Appendix: Troubleshooting

T1. What should I do if the adapter is not detected?

• Make sure the adapter is securely connected to the computer. • Make sure you meet the minimum system requirements for the adapter and that the latest Windows and system updates are installed on your computer. • Make sure you use the latest driver for your specific adapter. The latest drivers can be found at the product’s Support page at http://www.tp-link.com. • Try a different USB port on the computer. • Try restarting the computer or try using the adapter on a different computer.

T2. How to check if I have installed the driver for my adapter successfully or not?

1. On your computer, please right click Computer icon and go to Manage; 2. Open the Device Manager and go to Network adapters, and then find the corresponding TP-Link adapter, right click it and then go to Properties; 3. If you can see “This device is working properly.” in the red box, you have already installed the driver successfully.

T3. What should I do if can’t connect to the Wi-Fi after installing the driver?

• Refer to T2 to check if you have installed the driver for your adapter successfully . • Make sure the adapter is securely connected to the computer. • Disable the antivirus software and firewall, then try again. • Try a different USB port on the computer. • Restart your computer and try again. • Re-install the driver and try again.

T4. How to find the hardware version of the adapter?

• Visit http://www.tp-link.com/faq-46.html and follow the second method to find the hardware version of the adapter.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark of TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. Copyright © 2017 TP- Link Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

FCC STATEMENT

**** This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1.  This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. This equipment has been SAR-evaluated for use in hand. SAR measurements are based on a 5mm spacing from the body and that compliance is achieved at that distance.

CE Mark Warning
**** This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

OPERATING FREQUENCY (the maximum transmitted power)
2412MHz—2472MHz (20dBm)
5180MHz—5700MHz (23dBm)

EU declaration of conformity
TP-Link hereby declares that the device is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of directives 2014/53/EU and 2011/65/EU.
The original EU declaration of conformity may be found at http://www.tp- link.com/en/ce.

RF Exposure Information
This device meets the EU requirements (2014/53/EU Article 3.1a) on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields by way of health protection.
This device has been tested and meets the ICNIRP exposure guidelines and the European Standard EN 62209-2. SAR is measured with this device at a separation of 0.5 cm to the body, while transmitting at the highest certified output power level in all frequency bands of this device. Carry this device at least 0.5 cm away from your body to ensure exposure levels remain at or below the as-tested levels.
Restricted to indoor use.

Canadian Compliance Statement
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Caution:

1.  The device for operation in the band 5150–5250 MHz is only for indoor use to reduce the potential for harmful interference to co-channel mobile satellite systems;
2. For devices with detachable antenna(s), the maximum antenna gain permitted for devices in the bands 5250-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz shall be such that the equipment still complies with the e.i.r.p. limit;
3.  For devices with detachable antenna(s), the maximum antenna gain permitted for devices in the band 5725-5850 MHz shall be such that the equipment still complies with the e.i.r.p. limits specified for point-to-point and non-point-to-point operation as appropriate; and

The high-power radars are allocated as primary users (i.e. priority users) of the bands 5250-5350 MHz and 5650-5850 MHz and that these radars could cause interference and/or damage to LE-LAN devices.
DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) products that operate in the bands 5250- 5350 MHz, 5470-5600MHz, and 5650-5725MHz.

Radiation Exposure Statement:
This EUT is compliance with SAR for general population/uncontrolled exposure limits in RSS-102 and had been tested in accordance with the measurement methods and procedures specified in IEEE 1528 and IEC 62209. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 1.0 cm between the radiator and your body. This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Industry Canada Statement
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)

Safety Information

• Keep the device away from water, fire, humidity or hot environments.
• Do not attempt to disassemble, repair, or modify the device.
• Do not use damaged charger or USB cable to charge the device.
• Do not use any other chargers than those recommended.
• Do not use the device where wireless devices are not allowed.
• This USB Adapter can be powered only by computers that comply with Limited Power Source(LPS).

Please read and follow the above safety information when operating the device. We cannot guarantee that no accidents or damage will occur due to improper use of the device. Please use this product with care and operate at your own risk.
For EU/EFTA, this product can be used in the following countries:

Explanation of the symbols on the product label

This product bears the selective sorting symbol for Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This means that this product must be handled pursuant to European directive 2012/19/EU in order to be recycled or dismantled to minimize its impact on the environment.
User has the choice to give his product to a competent recycling organization or to the retailer when he buys a new electrical or electronic equipment.

Why cannot I find or connect to my wireless networks?
Troubleshooting
Updated 08-07-2018 07:02:18 AM
15972
This Article Applies to:

Note: Before you do these troubleshooting, please kindly check whether the adapter youuse is Archer T1U. For this model, it only supports 5GHz network. So if the router you use only provides 2.4GHz network, ‘you can’t find the 5GHz network any more.
Please enable hotspot via your phone and check whether it can be found by your adapter. If not, please refer to Q1; if yes, please refer to Q2.
If you can find your wireless network but cannot connect to it, please refer to Q3.
Q1: Can NOT find ANY available wireless networks

1. If you use other model (not Archer T1U) and your computer/device cannot detect any available wireless networks around, you will need to check the settings on your computer/device to make sure the wireless adapter is installed properly and enabled successfully.
   You can refer to these FAQs: Windows, Mac for details.

2. Check whether the wireless switch is enabled.

3. Check the PC’s services setting. Go to Start and right click Computer. Select and click Manage. And Computer Management window will appear. Under Services and Applications, click on Services. Scroll down and select WLAN AutoConfig. Make sure it starts and set the Startup type into “Automatic”.

4. Go to Control Panel->Network and Sharing Center, try to disable this adapter and then re-enable it.

5. Contact the computer/wireless adapter/device’s support for help if necessary.

Q2: Can and other networks, but cannot and my wireless network

1. Check the WLAN LED indicator on your wireless router/modem, and make sure it is on or ashing. Check Wi-Fi On/Off button and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled.
2. Check whether you have disable the SSID broadcast on your router. If Hide SSID is selected, you can’t find your networks any more.
3. Make sure your computer/device is still within the range of your router/modem. Try moving closer if you are currently too far away.
4. Check the wireless router settings: your Wireless Name, whether the Region/Country is selected correctly and wireless network is set to broadcast. Please contact your router’s support for help if you are not sure how to check router’s settings.

Note: Different countries have different laws about wireless channels. For example, the USA allows 2.4GHz channel from 1 to 11, while UK allows from 1 to 13. If you select the Region as UK or the Channel as 12/13 while you are in USA, your computer might not be able to pick up the signal. For more information, please click here.

Q3: Can find my wireless network, but cannot connect to it

1. Authenticating problem, password mismatch
   Sometimes it will ask you to type in a PIN number when you connect to the wireless network for the rst time. This PIN number is different from the Wireless Password/Network Security Key. Usually you can only nd it on the back panel of your wireless router/modem. If you cannot find the PIN or PIN incorrect, you may choose “ Connecting using a security key instead”, and then type the Network Security Key/Wireless Password.If it continues on saying network security key mismatches, it is suggested to con firm the wireless password on your wireless router/modem. Please contact your router’s support for help if you don’t know how to con firm the wireless password.
   Note: Wireless password/Network Security Key is case sensitive.

2. Windows was unable to connect to XXX / cannot join this network / taking longer than usual to connect to this network.

There are various causes of this kind of problem: too weak wireless signal, incorrect wireless settings on the router, or too much interference and problems of the wireless adapter. Try the following solutions:
a. Check the wireless signal strength of your network. If it is weak (1~3 bars), please move closer to the router and try again.
b. Check the wireless settings on the router. Make sure Wireless MAC Filtering or Access Control is NOT enabled. c. Change the wireless Channel of the router to 1, 6, or 11 (for 2.4GHz network) to reduce interference from other networks. Please contact your router’s support for help if you don’t know how to change router settings.
d. Change the wireless security encryption and channel width to 20MHz.
e. Try to connect via WPS. Press the WPS button on the router and then press WPS button on the adapter. For more details, you can refer to FAQ-302 .
f. Re-install or update the driver for your wireless adapter of the computer. Please contact computer/wireless adapter’s support for help if you don’t know how to update the driver.
g. Refer to FAQ 429 for more solutions.

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What can I do if the TP-Link Wireless Adapter is not achieving desired speed?
User Application Requirement
Updated 09-16-2014 15:53:59 PM
92602
This Article Applies to:

Problem:
When using a wireless adapter, the wireless speed is not achieving desired speed.
Causes and Solutions:
There are many factors that can affect the speed and connection of a wireless adapter, but there are also several solutions that can be tried.
|. A low signal strength usually will result in low speed. Below are the options to get better signal strength:

1. Adjust the location of the adapter. Sometimes, moving closer to the main router, or changing your position in the room, can affect signal strength and wireless speeds.
2. Get rid of obstacles. If your router is inside a cabinet or otherwise obstructed, or if there are significant obstacles between the router and the device you are using with the adapter, try moving away these obstructions to improve your signal strength.

ll. Slow connection speed will affect the internet speed. On your computer, please right click Wireless Network Connection, click on Status, and check what the connection speed is.

For example, if the wireless router is capable of 300Mbps and the wireless adapter is also a 300Mbps device, normally the connection speed will show 300Mbps with Excellent signal strength. If the connection speed is not normal, here is what you can try:

1. Check the wireless mode on the wireless router.Make sure it is on 11n mode or 11b/g/n mixed mode, rather than 11b or 11g mode.11b mode will only have a maximum 11Mbps connection speed, 11g has 54Mbps.

2. Check the wireless security encryption of your router . Security encryption of a wireless network greatly a ects the speed of the connection.
   Make sure your router is con gured to use the correct security encryption so that you can maximize the speed your router is capable of. Usually it is suggested to use WPA/WPA2.

3. Check the wireless channel and channel bandwidth of your router . Different channels will have di erent performance.The more crowded the channel is, the poorer performance it will get.Channel Bandwidth is also important to the wireless connection, make sure it is set to the best value for your router.

Ⅲ. Cause of Router’s firmware or adapter’s driver.
Check for the latest updates and drivers for your devices. Make sure your router is running the latest firmware, as this will ensure a better performance and reliability. Please also update the wireless adapter’s driver to the latest.
Ⅳ.Cause of the Computer itself.
If after all above steps, the speed is still slow.It is better to test the wireless adapter on another computer and see how it works.
Please feel free to contact us at support@tp-link.com for further problems.

Is this faq useful?
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About Us
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Contact Us
Careers at TP-Link
Privacy Policy| Press
News
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Regional Distributor(SOHO)
National Distributor(SMB)
Regional
Distributor(Mobile)
Business Partner (SMB)| Partners
Partner Program
---|---|---|---

Copyright © 2018 TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

REV2.2.0 1910012288

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